Words by Josephine Agbonkhese

What happens when more than 10,000 women gather around one shared ambition: to take control of their finances, grow their income and build lasting wealth?

For Jennifer Awirigwe, founder of FinTribe, the answer lies in making financial empowerment practical, accessible and achievable for women from different walks of life.

An advocate of women’s wealth creation, Awirigwe has built FinTribe into a growing community of more than 20,000 registered members across over 40 countries. Through financial education, collective savings, investment opportunities and accountability, the platform is helping women move beyond earning money to making informed decisions about how to preserve and grow it. Its members have collectively saved and invested more than $7 million, demonstrating the power of community in building financial security.

Now in its fourth edition, the FinTribe Finance Fair returns to Landmark Lagos on October 31, 2026, under the theme “I CAN”. Beyond inspiring conversations, the fair connects women with financial institutions, experts, business opportunities and resources that can translate knowledge into action.

In this exclusive conversation with Allure, Awirigwe speaks on her vision for the fair and the movement behind it, alongside powerful insights and practical nuggets from this year’s speakers on money, investment, entrepreneurship and women’s financial independence.

Congratulations on your forthcoming Finance Fair. More than 10,000 women are expected at Landmark Centre on October 31. What does that mean to you?

It is humbling. We started FinTribe in 2021 with just 13 women, so seeing thousands come together around financial empowerment reminds me of how far we have come.

But beyond the numbers, I think about what happens afterwards. How many women will start investing, discover an opportunity or finally take their finances seriously? We are not just gathering women in a room. We want to change how they see money and what they believe is possible for themselves.

The theme for this year is simply ‘I CAN’. Why these two words?

Sometimes, the biggest barrier is believing something is not possible. Women say, “I cannot invest because I don’t earn enough” or “I cannot pursue my dreams because I have a family to care for.”
We chose I CAN to challenge that mindset, reminding women to stop counting themselves out, dream bigger and take bold steps towards the lives they want. We want them to leave not just inspired, but ready to act.

The Finance Fair is only in its fourth year but has attracted significant attention. What inspired it, and what makes it different from other financial conferences?

We realised that women often have to navigate different spaces to access financial opportunities and support. We asked ourselves, what if we brought everything together in one place? That became the Finance Fair.

It goes beyond bringing these opportunities together. Our focus is moving women from learning to execution. Many events teach women what to do, but we want to help them take the next step by connecting them directly to the institutions and resources they need to act, Actually doing.

What exactly will women be able to access or begin at this year’s fair?

Women can explore investment opportunities, connect with financial institutions, meet like-minded women and discover ways to grow their businesses. There will also be exciting prizes, including a plot of land and an all-expenses-paid trip.
Whether you’re new to investing or looking to grow your business, the fair offers access, connections and opportunities to help you take the next step.
Best of all, attendance is free. We believe access should not be a barrier, and we want to bring financial education, opportunities and meaningful connections within reach of more women.

Who are the speakers headlining this year’s event, and why were they chosen?

Our speakers represent what happens when women decide I CAN and refuse to be limited by expectations.
Ms Funke Akindele has made history in the movie industry, broken records and continued to break her own. Many people may not have anticipated her level of success, but she has repeatedly proved what is possible.
Ms Omoni Oboli has remained relevant while transitioning beautifully into new spaces. In just two years on YouTube, she has been redefining the platform and telling African stories in her own way.
Ms BamBam has moved beyond her Big Brother beginnings to build an impressive career as a director and actor while embracing motherhood.
Ms Lynda also brings a refreshing perspective, sparking important conversations about marketing and the business world beyond her professional career.
And when it comes to making money conversations relatable, Ms Sola Adesakin and Ms Grace Ofure do it exceptionally well.

Take us back to the beginning. What inspired you to establish FinTribe, and what has building it demanded of you personally?

Growing up, I remember women asking my mother, “Where will I go?”, “What will my children eat?” even when they were in terrible relationships. Those questions stayed with me. They showed me how difficult it can be for a woman to make choices when she doesn’t have the financial means to stand on her own.
These experiences, alongside my personal experience with money management, inspired me to build FinTribe. We started with 13 women in 2021, and the journey has demanded resilience and constant learning. I’m currently pursuing my MBA to become a better leader and take FinTribe to the next level.
FinTribe members have collectively saved and invested more than $7 million. What does this reveal about women’s capacity to build wealth together?

It challenges the idea that women are primarily consumers rather than wealth builders. We often hear our women say, “I never knew I could ever save this much!” That’s the power of community and accountability. Sometimes, you achieve more simply because you have people cheering you on and holding you accountable. The $7 million shows what is possible when women have the right structure and support to build wealth together.

Many women earn money but struggle to build wealth. What are the biggest barriers?

I think one major barrier is not having a personal financial system. Many women invest only with whatever is left after taking care of everyone else. Between family responsibilities, black tax and unexpected expenses, there is often nothing left. We need a system where a specific amount goes towards investing as soon as money comes in, rather than waiting to see what remains. Even if it is small, pay your future self first and build consistently.

How do you define wealth beyond income and lifestyle?

For me, wealth is having choices and not allowing financial pressure to dictate every decision.
You can earn a high income and still be financially vulnerable if everything depends on your next salary. True wealth means having the resources, peace of mind and the ability to support your loved ones without compromising your own financial security.

What practical advice would you give a woman earning modestly, with family responsibilities and little money left over?

First, have a financial system. Set aside a specific amount to save and invest as soon as money comes in.
Second, learn to say no. Not every urgent ₦2,000 request needs your attention. You can support your loved ones without sacrificing your financial future.
Third, grow your income through new skills, a side hustle or a better-paying job. The more you earn, the more room you have to build wealth and “save the world”.

For women intimidated by financial terminology and investment risks, where should they begin?

Start by connecting with credible financial educators who simplify these conversations, and learn the basics before putting your money into anything. Surround yourself with a community like FinTribe where you can learn and grow.
That’s also why we created the Finance Fair. On October 31, you’ll have the opportunity to meet financial experts, connect with like-minded women and engage directly with financial institutions. You don’t have to know everything before you start. You just need to be willing to learn and take that first step.

If women take away just three things from the Finance Fair, what would you want them to be?

First, believe that you can. Not just financially, but in every area of your life. Don’t limit your dreams because of where you are today or what people think is possible for you.
Second, take action. Whatever that dream looks like, start somewhere. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin.
Third, surround yourself with the right people and use the resources available to you. Sometimes, the right community, connection or opportunity can change everything.

What is the next frontier for FinTribe? Where do you see the platform in five years?

Our vision is a world where every African woman has the financial freedom to make choices about her life. Over the next five years, we want to bring that vision closer to reality by helping up to a million women move from earning money to building lasting wealth.
Through our app, financial education, community accountability and access to trusted financial opportunities, we want to help more women confidently smash their money goals, build assets and create better futures for themselves and their families. Ultimately, success for us is not just how many women join FinTribe, but how many women become financially empowered because of it.

Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu

“Your income must have an assignment. It must eventually become capital. Capital must become productive assets. Assets must create wealth.”

Funke Akindele

“Don’t assume you know it all because the world is changing and evolving rapidly, daily. When you see networking opportunities—where businesswomen are or where you can learn from mentors and people who have done it ahead of you—take yourself there.

Omoni Oboli

“As a lady, have what you do that brings income… it might be tough but find something!”

Bamike “BamBam” Adenibuyan

“When you get that one opportunity to perform, give it everything you’ve got. You never know if you’ll get another chance.

Sola Adesakin

“Money is a tool for empowerment and achieving goals”

Lynda Aguocha

“Success shouldn’t become a comfort zone; it should become a launchpad.”